Things To Do In SW Florida

By FATIMA HUSSEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration plans to eliminate the IRS’ Direct File program, an electronic system for filing tax returns directly to the agency for free, according to two people familiar with the decision.

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The program developed during Joe Biden’s presidency was credited by users with making tax filing easy, fast and economical. But Republican lawmakers and commercial tax preparation companies complained it was a waste of taxpayer money because free filing programs already exist, although they are hard to use. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve can stay patient and wait to see how tariffs and other economic policies of the Trump administration play out before making any changes to interest rates, Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday.

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  Vermont maple syrup makers face uncertainty amid Canada and China tariff chaos

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“As that great Chicagoan Ferris Bueller once noted, ‘Life moves pretty fast,’” Powell said in a speech to the Economic Club of Chicago. “For the time being, we are well positioned to wait for greater clarity” on the impact of policy changes in areas such as immigration, taxation, regulation, and tariffs, Powell said. read more

By AMANDA SWINHART and PATRICK WHITTLE

MORGAN, Vt. (AP) — Making maple syrup in New England’s fickle spring weather can be an unpredictable business. Now President Donald Trump’s ever-changing tariff policies are adding anxiety about an industry that depends on multinational trade.

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“Any kind of disruption with our cross border enterprise, we feel it,” said Jim Judd, a fourth-generation sugarer who owns Judd’s Wayeeses Farms in Morgan, Vermont. “It’s uncertain enough making maple syrup.”

Judd, who has been making Vermont’s signature product since the 1970s, says multiple countries contribute to each container of the sticky sweetener. Stainless steel fixtures used connect sap lines and boil the liquid into syrup can originate in China. Packaging often comes from Italy. And the vast majority of equipment is sold by Canada, which produces about four-fifths of the planet’s maple syrup — and sells nearly two-thirds of it to U.S. consumers. read more

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, adjacent to the future Epic Universe theme park, is now open to guests, Universal Orlando confirms.

The debut of the 500-room resort may seem to have come early as its opening has been touted as with the opening of Epic, which is currently in its preview phases and officially will open to the public on May 22.

The Mediterranean styling of Helios Grand is seen from inside the theme park, standing at the far edge of its Celestial Park area.  The hotel has its own dedicated entrance to Epic, and it’s wedged between the Dark Universe and Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic areas of the park.

Pictures: A look inside Helios Grand Hotel at Universal Epic Universe

Features of the new hotel include the rooftop Helios Bar, which has views of Epic Universe as well as the other side of the hotel; Lotus Lagoon swimming pool area with cabanas; dining options named Flora Taverna and Aurora Market; and the Universal Studios Store.  Helios also has select rooms with “How to Train Your Dragon” theming. read more

Seven Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of April 6-12, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Orange

El Palacio Buffet at 7403 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando shut down on April 8. Inspectors found 10 violations, two of which were high priorities. Those violations included raw food not separated from ready-to-eat food and roach activity. A second inspection the same day found 17 violations and included an additional high priority for single-use gloves not being changed as needed. On April 9, a third and final inspection occurred. Authorities found three violations and none was a high priority. The restaurant met inspection standards.

Bon Appetit Grill at 4534 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando shut down on April 9. Inspectors found seven violations, two of which were high priorities for rodent activity and temperature safety control for food. During a second inspection the same day, inspectors found three violations, including more rodent activity. On April 10, a third and final inspection occurred. There were two violations and none was a high priority. The restaurant requires a follow-up inspection but poses no threat to the public. read more